How to Update a Table with a little Paint and Wax

Check out my latest thrift store find! I found this cute little octagon side table a couple months ago and fell in love. It has so much detail and octagon is such a unique shape I had to have it. Oh, and the fact that is was $10 might have helped my urge to have to have it a bit. I love the look of chalk style paints but here is my dilemma, who wants to spend $40 on paint for a $10 table? Not me! That is why I am now offering an alternative to those expensive paints. I now use my Diva of DIY Chalk Mix.

Let me introduce you to my lovely octagon table…

Now how cute is that? Look at all the woodwork detail.

The table was heavily lacquered and had pieces chipping off but all the wood was in perfect shape it just needed an facelift. So I grabbed some supplies and got to work.

Step 3) Mix the Chalk Mix with latex paint and begin painting your first coat. This is where I used the small square brush to get into the detailed areas. Let dry.

Step 4) Using buffing pad, lightly scuff the first coat. Wipe off dust with cloth.

Step 5) Apply second coat. Let Dry. I always use two coats of paint on my projects. The first coat basically acts as a primer. See how smooth that second coat looks.

Step 6) Using a combination of the buffing pad and sandpaper begin to distress you piece by sanding off paint in places the wood would normally show wear and tear. If not distressing, use buffing pad to smooth surface, making sure it is as smooth as you want the finished project to be before you apply wax.

Step 7) Wipe off dust with cloth.

Step 8) Using a wax brush, lightly dip brush into wax and begin to spread the wax. Use Dirty Wax sparingly.

Step 9) Work in small sections at a time putting the wax on and then buffing off with cheese cloth.

Step 10) Repeat this process until the entire surface is finished. Wax will harden as it dries. The wax is dry when it is no longer tacky.

Step 11) Buff the table for a luster sheen if desired, or leave as is for a matte finish.

I love the way this table turned out. The dark wax makes the details pop!